Name plate



L. MELIND NAME PLATE June 21, 1932.

Filed March 28. 1951 Patented June 21, 1932 UNITED STATES tours MELIND, or CHICAGO, ILLmoIs NAME PLATE Application filed March 28, 1931. Serial No. 526,065.

This inventionrelates to name plates and like devices, and has to do more particularly with a name plate for use on a desk, or in any other suitable location, such plate being capable of many uses other than that of a name plate.

One of the main objects of the invention is to provide a name plate of neat and attractive appearance and of simple and inexpensive construction. A further object is to provide a name plate including an insert bearing identifying data and means for positioning and holding this insert, such insert being readily removable and replaceable. Another 0 object is to provide a plate in conjunction with an insert and a cover member related and cooperating in a novel manner for holding the insert in position. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a front view of a name plate constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective rear view of the name plate;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through the name plate and one of the sup porting brackets therefor, part being shown in elevation; and

Figure 4 is an end view of a name plate in accordance with my invention, illustrating a modified form.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 3, I provide a strip or plate 1 conveniently formed of wood, this plate being flat and thin relative to its width. Two supporting brackets 2, also conveniently formed of wood, are secured to the back of the plate in a suitable manner as by means .of a screw 3 which screws into the respective brackets. This screw passes through plate 1 from the front thereof and is countersunk in the front of the plate at 4. Plate 1 is provided, at its upper and lower edges, with grooves 5 extending lengthwise thereof and disposed at the rearward faces of shoulderlike elements 6 formed integrally with the plate and of rounded cross-section. These elements provide, in eifect, shoulders for attaching to theplate a cover member 7.

The cover member 7 is preferably formed of transparent sheet celluloid which has been suitably tempered or treated, in a known manner, so as to possess considerable -resiliency. This cover member is provided, at its upper and lower edges, with channel elements 8 which are of rounded cross-section and are disposed and adapted to fit aboutele ments f the plate. An insert 9, which maf 60 conveniently be formed ofv a strip of cardboard corresponding in width and length to the front face of plate 1, is disposed between the front of the plate and the cover member 7. This insert bears upon the exposed surface thereof suitable data, such as a persons name, which 7 is visible through the transparent cover member as in Figure 1.

In the modified form illustrated in Figure 4, the plate is provided with laterally projecting elements 6a similar to the shoulder like elements of Figures 2 and 8. The construction and operation of the device of Figure 4. is otherwise similar to that of Figure 3.

In mounting the insert 9 upontheplate 1, cover member 7 is disposed with oneof the channel elements 8 thereof engaged about the corresponding shoulder-like element of the plate, conveniently the lower element. In Figure 4, I have shown the lower channel element 8 of cover 7 as engaged about the lower shoulder 6a of plate 1a. The insert 9 is then suitably positioned between the front of the plate and the cover member, after which the cover member is moved toward the plate so as to cause the other channel element thereof to engage about the othershoul5 der-like element of the plate. Referring again to Figure 4, when'the upper portion of cover member 7 is forced toward the plate, the upper channel element" 8 of the-cover member is forced outwardly slightly so, as to pass over the upper shoulder 6a, at which time this channel element snaps over the shoulder for attaching the cover member to the plate. Thecover member then occupies the position of Figure 3'. In applying the cover member to the plate, the Channel elements thereof are swung apart slightly so that theseelements and the cover member are placed under transverse tension, it being noted that the edges of the channel elements engage about the shoulders 6a or the elements 6, as the case may be, of the plate but do not contact the plate at the inner or base portions of the shoulder element. Consequently, the channel elements are maintained under tension and, due to their engagement about the rounded shoulders of the plate, tend constantly to urge the cover member toward the plate. This is advantageous as holding the insert securely-in position while also assuring close contact between the cover member" and theinsert so as to effectively prevent entry of dust and foreign materials between the insert and the cover member. As a result of this cooperation between the channel elements of the cover member and the shoulders of the plate, the insertis properly held'at all times and the device, as a whole, presents a neat and attractive appearance. The celluloid cover member may be wiped ofi, or even washed, when required, without injury to or displacement of the insert, so that the device can readily be maintained in a'clean and neat appearing condition. A further advantage of my construction is that the insert serves to conceal the screws or securing members 3 and the device is not rendered unsightly by having the} means for securing the-plate to the brackets exposed.

' Preferably the cover memberis .formed of transparent sheet celluloid, as above stated. It is not essential, however, that the cover member be transparent throughout its entire area, and I contemplate the use of acover member having only such portions thereof as correspond to the data to be exposed transparent. My invention also comprehends the use of acover member'which may be made of opaqueor translucent material and which is'cut away or otherwise treated so as to render visible therethrough'the data which it is desired to expose. Also, while my invention is particularly well adapted for use with desk name plates, I do not intend to in any Way restrict it to this one use since it is capable ofbeig used for many other purposes.

. As above indicated, and as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, changes in construction and arrangement of parts of my invention'may be resorted to without departing from the field and scope of the same, and I intend'to include all such variations, asfall within the scope of the appended claims, in this'app'lication in; which the preferredforms only of my invention are-disclosed;

What I claim is:

1. Ina device of the character described, a plate, supporting brackets at the back of the plate, securing screws passing through the=plate from the front thereof and securing said brackets to the plate,-thescrewshaving head's countersunk in the front of the .plate,

a cover member fastened over the front of the plate and transparent throughout the width of said plate, and an insert between said member and the plate, said insert bearing identifying data upon its outer surface and acting to conceal the screws.

2. In a device of the "character described, a plate, a supporting bracket at the back of said plate, securing means passing through the plate. and countersunk in the face thereof for se'curing'said bracket to the plate, a transparent cover member fastened over the front of the plate, and an insert between said memher and the p1ate,-sai,d insert concealing the securing means.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 24 day of March, 1931.

' LOUIS MELIND. 

